Radio corrected clock

ABSTRACT

A radio correcting timepiece that can reduce the influence of a radio wave situation of the standard radio wave having time information according to an area, and can make a correction to the exact time in a shorter time is provided. The radio correcting timepiece comprises a signal receiving means ( 1 ) for receiving a standard radio wave and a timepiece means ( 2 ) for correcting and displaying time on the basis of the time information outputted from the signal receiving means. The signal receiving means ( 1 ) can receive plural standard radio waves and includes memory means ( 1 I) which is able to store signal receiving order of the plural standard radio waves. Since the plural standard radio waves can be received, the influence of a radio wave situation according to an area can be reduced and a correction to the exact time can be made in a shorter time by using the standard radio wave transmitted every minute.

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] This invention relates to a radio correcting timepiece having asignal receiving means for receiving a standard radio wave having timeinformation, and a timepiece means for displaying the time on the basisof the time information outputted from this signal receiving means. Thisinvention particularly relates to its receiving system.

BACKGROUND ART

[0002] JP-A-11-160464 conventionally discloses a solar energy operatingtype wireless control timepiece and JP-A-2001-166071 discloses a selfelectricity generating type electronic timepiece. Each timepiecereceives the standard radio wave including the time information of highaccuracy such as a year, a month, a day, an hour, a minute, a correctsecond, summer time information, etc. transmitted every one minute as atechnique for receiving time data from the exterior and correcting thetime displayed at present, and automatically makes a time correction astime setting, a date correction, etc.

[0003] In Japan, the standard radio wave is transmitted at present froma transmission station located in Fukushima prefecture at a frequency of40 KHz. However, in an area such as a Kyushu district, etc. separated by1000 Km or more from the transmission station of the Fukushimaprefecture, the intensity of an electric field is weak and there areareas unable to sufficiently receive the standard radio wave. Therefore,a new transmission station is being constructed in Saga prefecture ofJapan in the year of 2001. The frequency of the standard radio wavetransmitted from this transmission station of the Saga prefecture is 60KHz, and it is necessary to switch the receiving frequency and thereceiving algorithm to a receiving frequency and a receiving algorithmcorresponding to this area so as to set the signal receiving range ofthe radio correcting timepiece to the whole country of Japan. Further,the frequency of the standard radio wave and a time code format, etc.are different in accordance with respective countries and areas.Therefore, it is necessary to switch the receiving frequency and thereceiving algorithm to the receiving frequency and the receivingalgorithm according to the area so as to cope with the standard radiowaves.

[0004] On the other hand, JP-B-56-17629 discloses a timepiece having acorrecting means using the radio wave in which the pattern of a timesignal mixed with a voice signal and broadcasted from a broadcaststation, etc. is stored in advance and broadcast waves from pluralbroadcast stations are sequentially received in a constant period, andthe time correction is made by recognizing the time signal waveform.Namely, when the intensity of the electric field of the radio station istoo weak to receive the signal, the signals of other broadcast stationsare sequentially received in a predetermined pattern, and the signalreception of each broadcast station is repeated until the signal can bereceived.

[0005] However, although JP-A-11-160464 discloses the solar energyoperating type wireless control timepiece and JP-A-2001-166071 disclosesthe self electricity generating type electronic timepiece as mentionedabove, these inventions do not disclose the case that required radiowave can not be received by the difference in radio wave intensityaccording to the area. In the above disclosure of JP-B-56-17629, itsmain object is not to receive the standard radio wave including the timeinformation of high accuracy, but is to receive one time service signalin one hour. In such a signal receiving system, where electricity savingis required as in a compact portable timepiece, it is necessary to setsignal receiving periods during short times before and after a correcttime. Therefore, when a large time error is caused, the case that it isdifficult to automatically correct the time is caused. Further, in theconstruction for receiving the time signal, the next time signal isreceived after at least one hour has passed. Therefore, a periodrequired for the correction is lengthened.

[0006] Therefore, an object of this invention is to provide a radiocorrecting timepiece which reduces the influence of a radio wavesituation of the standard radio wave according to an area, and can copewith the case causing a large time error, and can make a correction tothe exact time in a shorter period.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

[0007] To achieve the above object, the present invention resides in aradio correcting timepiece comprising signal receiving means forreceiving a standard radio wave having time information and timepiecemeans for displaying time on the basis of the time information outputtedfrom the signal receiving means.

[0008] The signal receiving means can receive plural standard radiowaves, and the radio correcting timepiece further comprises memory meansable to store signal receiving order of the plural standard radio waves.Thus, since the plural standard radio waves can be received, theinfluence of a radio wave situation according to an area can be reducedand it is possible to cope with the case of generation of a large timeerror by using the standard radio wave transmitted every minute.Accordingly, a correction to exact time can be made in a shorter period.

[0009] Further, if the radio correcting timepiece further comprisesrewriting means able to rewrite the signal receiving order of the pluralstandard radio waves stored to the memory means, a more suitablestandard radio wave can be preferentially received by rewriting thesignal receiving order.

[0010] Further, if the rewriting means can be operated by an externaloperating member in the radio correcting timepiece, a more suitablestandard radio wave according to the area can be arbitrarily received.

[0011] Further, if the radio correcting timepiece further comprisesjudging means for judging whether each signal reception in each signalreceiving order is completed or uncompleted, and the signal receivingmeans terminates the signal reception by a completing signal from thejudging means, the signal receiving time can be further shortened andpower consumption can be saved and reduced.

[0012] Further, the radio correcting timepiece may further comprisejudging means for judging whether each signal reception in each signalreceiving order is completed or uncompleted, and flag judging meanswhich sets-on a flag with respect to a standard radio wave station ofthis order by an uncompleting signal from the judging means, and skipsthe signal receiving order of the standard radio wave station having theflag at the next signal receiving time, and performs the signalreception of the next signal receiving order. In this case, powerconsumption can be reduced in a higher degree and the signal receivingtime can be shortened by making the best use of the past signalreceiving hysteresis information.

[0013] Further, the radio correcting timepiece may further comprisejudging means for judging whether each signal reception in each signalreceiving order is completed or uncompleted, and flag judging meanswhich sets-on a flag with respect to a standard radio wave station ofthis order by a signal reception completing signal of constant or moretime information from the judging means, and executes the signalreception of the standard radio wave station of the signal receivingorder having the flag at the next signal receiving time. In this case,power consumption can be reduced in a higher degree and the signalreceiving time can be shortened by making the best use of the pastsignal receiving hysteresis information.

[0014] Further, if the standard radio wave received in at least oneadjacent order among the signal receiving orders is selected anddetermined from the standard radio waves of the same frequency in theradio correcting timepiece, it is possible to shorten time taken tostabilize the amplification factor of an auto gain controller of thesignal receiving means for performing setting with respect to theintensity of an electric field. Further, it is possible to shorten thetime until the reception of a time code and the signal reception can berapidly performed.

[0015] Further, the radio correcting timepiece may further comprisejudging means for judging whether each signal reception in each signalreceiving order is completed or uncompleted, and the completing signalof each signal receiving order from the judging means may be countedevery standard radio wave station, and the rewriting means may beconstructed so as to rewrite the signal receiving order at the nextsignal receiving time by accumulating this counting number, and theradio correcting timepiece may further comprise initializing means forinitializing each of the counting number every selected and determinedsignal receiving time number. In this case, useless power consumption isreduced and the signal receiving time is shortened and the signalreception can be rapidly performed by setting the signal receiving orderaccording to the frequency of a perfect success from the past signalreceiving hysteresis.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0016]FIG. 1 is a circuit block diagram showing a first embodiment modeof a radio correcting timepiece in this invention.

[0017]FIG. 2 is a flow chart showing a signal receiving step in theembodiment mode of FIG. 1.

[0018]FIG. 3 is a flow chart showing a signal receiving step in a secondembodiment mode of the radio correcting timepiece in this invention.

[0019]FIG. 4 is a flow chart showing a signal receiving step in a thirdembodiment mode of the radio correcting timepiece in this invention.

[0020]FIG. 5 is a flow chart showing a signal receiving step in a fourthembodiment mode of the radio correcting timepiece in this invention.

[0021]FIG. 6 is a flow chart showing a signal receiving step in a fifthembodiment mode of the radio correcting timepiece in this invention.

[0022]FIG. 7 is a flow chart showing a signal receiving step in a sixthembodiment mode of the radio correcting timepiece in this invention.

[0023]FIG. 8 is a flow chart showing a signal receiving step in aseventh embodiment mode of the radio correcting timepiece in thisinvention.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

[0024] The present invention will be explained in accordance with theaccompanying drawings to explain the present invention in more detail.

(1) First Embodiment Mode

[0025]FIG. 1 is a circuit block diagram showing the first embodimentmode. In a receiving means 1 of FIG. 1, an antenna 1A receives astandard radio wave and a tuning circuit 1B tunes a tuning frequency ofthe antenna 1A, and the standard radio wave received by the antenna 1Ais converted into a digital signal by a signal receiving circuit 1C. Thedigital signal 1D outputted from the signal receiving circuit 1C isinputted to a microcomputer 1E for assigning a receiving frequency anddecoding the digital signal 1D and making the time correction of atimepiece means 2 for displaying time. A ROM 1F stores the receivingfrequency, an algorithm, information for processing time informationsuch as a year, a month, a day, an hour, a minute, etc. The ROM 1Fstores, in this embodiment mode, the contents that the frequencytransmitted from Fukushima prefecture is 40 KHz, the algorithm,Fukushima station information 1G describing the information forprocessing the time information such as a year, a month, a day, an hour,a minute, etc. the contents that the frequency transmitted from Sagaprefecture is 60 KHz, the algorithm, Saga station information 1Hdescribing the information for processing the time information such as ayear, a month, a day, an hour, a minute, etc. A RAM 1I stores the orderof a transmission station for receiving a signal. The RAM 1I has a firstRAM area 1J for storing the information of a transmission station forfirstly performing the signal reception, and a second RAM area 1K forstoring the information of a transmission station for secondlyperforming the signal reception. Reference numeral 1L designates afrequency selecting signal outputted to the tuning circuit 1B and thereceiving circuit 1C from the microcomputer 1E. An external input means1M, the above ROM 1F and the RAM 1I are here connected to themicrocomputer 1E.

[0026]FIG. 2 is a flow chart of a signal receiving step forautomatically changing the receiving frequency by the radio correctingtimepiece of the invention and performing the signal reception.

[0027] The signal receiving step in the invention will next be explainedby using the flow chart of FIG. 2.

[0028] When the main stay place of a user is the western Japan, the usersets the Saga station to the first RAM area 1J and also sets theFukushima station to the second RAM area 1K by using the external inputmeans 1M in a state before the signal reception is performed.

[0029] When a signal reception starting step S1 is performed in thisstate, the microcomputer 1E proceeds to a step S2 in FIG. 2 inaccordance with information (the same as a step of the flow chart ofFIG. 2) described within the ROM 1F. The microcomputer 1E recognizesthat the receiving station of the first RAM area 1J is the Saga station.The microcomputer 1E then reads Saga station information 1H within theROM 1F, and supplies the frequency selecting signal 1L to the tuningcircuit 1B and the receiving circuit 1C since the receiving frequency is60 KHz. The microcomputer 1E then sets the receiving frequency to 60KHz.

[0030] The standard radio wave signal of the Saga station received bythe antenna 1A is converted into a digital signal 1D by the receivingcircuit 1C, and is converted into time information on the basis of theSaga station information 1H by the microcomputer 1E and the timecorrection is made. When it is judged in a step S3 that the signalreception is successful, it proceeds to a step S5 in FIG. 2 and thesignal reception is terminated. In contrast to this, when it is judgedthat the signal reception is unsuccessful, it proceeds to a step S4 inFIG. 2.

[0031] In the step S4, it is recognized that the receiving station ofthe second RAM area 1K is the Fukushima station, and the Fukushimastation information 1G within the ROM 1F is read. Since the receivingfrequency is 40 KHz, the frequency selecting signal 1L is given to thetuning circuit 1B and the receiving circuit 1C and the receivingfrequency is set to 40 KHz.

[0032] The standard radio wave signal of the Fukushima station receivedby the antenna 1A is converted into a digital signal 1D by the receivingcircuit 1C, and is also converted into time information on the basis ofthe Fukushima station information 1G by the microcomputer 1E, and thetime correction is made. It proceeds to the step S5 by the passage of aconstant time irrespective of the success and unsuccess of the signalreception in the step S4, and the signal reception is terminated.

[0033] Since the user here stays mainly in the western Japan, the timecorrection is terminated by one signal reception of the Saga station inmost cases. However, even when the user temporarily moves to the easternJapan in a trip, etc., the time correction can be made by second signalreception of the Fukushima station. Therefore, the accuracy of time canbe secured. Conversely, when the main stay place of the user is theeastern Japan, the Fukushima station is set to the first RAM area 1J andthe Saga station is set to the second RAM area 1K in advance reverselyto the above explanation.

[0034] In this embodiment mode, the two receiving stations are explainedas an example. However, it is possible to cope with three or morereceiving stations by programming information of each of the three ormore receiving stations in the ROM 1F and arranging three or more memoryareas in the RAM 1I.

[0035] In accordance with the above embodiment mode, even when the userlives in any place, the user can always firstly receive a signal in thetransmission station of an area in which the user mostly stays.Accordingly, the receiving time can be shortened and the consumption ofreceiving electric power can be greatly restrained.

(2) Second Embodiment Mode

[0036] A second embodiment mode will next be explained on the basis ofFIG. 3. FIG. 3 is a flow chart showing a signal receiving step in thesecond embodiment mode of the radio correcting timepiece in thisinvention.

[0037] This embodiment is an example about the radio correctingtimepiece in which a signal is mainly received in Japan. A start S21 ismade by a timing signal from a timepiece means, etc., and an automaticsignal receiving state is started in a step S22. First, the signalreception of the 40 KHz format of the Fukushima station is tried. Whenit is judged in a step S23 that the signal reception is unsuccessful andthe judgment is NO, the signal reception of the 60 KHz format of theSaga station is subsequently tried in a step S24. Further, when thesignal reception is unsuccessful and the judgment is NO in a step S25,the signal reception of a 60 KHz format of a US station is tried in astep S26. In this example, the signal reception is terminated in a stepS27 irrespective of this trial result. In contrast to this, when thesignal reception is successful and the judgment is YES in the step S23or S25, it immediately proceeds to the step S27 and the signal receptionis terminated. However, a judging step for judging whether the signalreception is successful or not may be inserted after the step S26, andit may be returned to the step S22 and the signal reception may be againperformed in the case of NO in the judgment of this judging step. Incontrast to this, in the case of YES, it proceeds to the step S27 andthe signal reception is terminated.

[0038] When the 40 KHz format and the 60 KHz format are switched, itgenerally takes about 30 seconds to stabilize the operation of an autogain controller of a receiving means for performing setting with respectto the intensity of an electric field. However, in this secondembodiment mode, since the 60 KHz format of the US station is set afterthe 60 KHz format of the Saga station, the time until the reception of atime code can be shortened and the signal reception can be rapidlyperformed when the receivable standard radio wave station is set to the60 KHz format of the US station.

(3) Third Embodiment Mode

[0039] A third embodiment mode will next be explained on the basis ofFIG. 4. FIG. 4 is a flow chart showing a signal receiving step in thethird embodiment mode of the radio correcting timepiece in thisinvention.

[0040] In this example, the signal reception of a station having aceasing hysteresis on the way in the signal reception is not tried butpassed at the next signal receiving time, and it proceeds to the signalreception of the next station.

[0041] A start step S31 is started by a timing signal from a timepiecemeans, etc., and an automatic receiving state is started in a step S32and the signal reception of the 40 KHz format of the Fukushima stationis intended to be first tried. It is judged in a step S33 whether amidway signal receiving flag Ffn corresponding to the Fukushima stationdescribed later is 1 or 0. If this flag is 1, this station is passed. Incontrast to this, if this flag is 0, the signal reception is started andit is judged in a step S34 whether the signal reception is ceased on theway or not after a constant time. If this judgment is YES, the flag of 1is set in the midway signal receiving flag Ffn, and it proceeds to astep S37 and the signal reception of the 60 KHz format of the Sagastation in the next order is intended to be tried. On the other hand, ifthe judgment is NO in the step S34 for judging whether the signalreception is ceased on the way or not, no flag of 1 is set in the midwaysignal receiving flag Ffn, and it is judged in a step S35 whether thesignal reception is perfectly successful or not. When this judgment isNO, it proceeds to the step S37 and the signal reception of the 60 KHzformat of the Saga station in the next order is intended to be tried.

[0042] After it proceeds to the step S37, it is further judged in a stepS38 whether a midway signal receiving flag Fsn corresponding to the Sagastation described later is 1 or 0. If this flag is 1, this station ispassed. In contrast to this, if this flag is 0, the signal reception ofthe Saga station is started and it is judged in a step S39 whether thesignal reception is ceased on the way or not after a constant time. Ifthis judgment is YES, the flag of 1 is set in the midway signalreceiving flag Fsn and it proceeds to a step S312, and the signalreception of the 60 KHz format of the US station (the standard radiowave station of the United States of America) in the next order isintended to be tried. On the other hand, if the judgment is NO in thestep S39 for judging whether the signal reception is ceased on the wayor not, no flag of 1 is set in the midway signal receiving flag Fsn in astep S311, and it is judged in a step S310 whether the signal receptionis perfectly successful or not. When this judgment is NO, it proceeds tothe step S312 and the signal reception of the 60 KHz format of the USstation in the next order is intended to be tried.

[0043] After it proceeds to the step S312, it is further judged in astep S313 whether a midway signal receiving flag Fun corresponding tothe US station described later is 1 or 0. If this flag is 1, thisstation is passed and the signal reception is terminated. In contrast tothis, if this flag is 0, the signal reception of the US station isstarted and it is judged in a step S314 whether the signal reception isceased on the way or not after a constant time. If this judgment is YES,the flag of 1 is set in the midway signal receiving flag Fun, and itproceeds to a step S315 and the signal reception is terminated. On theother hand, if the judgment is NO in the step S314 for judging whetherthe signal reception is ceased on the way or not, it proceeds to thestep S315 without setting the flag of 1 in the midway signal receivingflag Fsn in the step S314, and the signal reception is terminated.

[0044] If the judgment is YES in the signal reception success of theabove step S35 or S310, it immediately proceeds to the step S315 and thesignal reception is terminated. The flag Ffn in the step S36 isinitialized on the basis of predetermined state switching such as theoperation of e.g., an external input means 1M, etc. after the signalreception is terminated. Similarly, the flag Fsn in the step S311 or theflag Fun in the step S316 is initialized on the basis of thepredetermined state switching such as the operation of e.g., theexternal input means 1M, etc. after the signal reception is terminated.

[0045] In this third embodiment mode, useless power consumption isreduced and signal reception time is shortened and the signal receptioncan be rapidly performed by passing a predetermined station in whichthere is no possibility that the signal reception can be perfectlyperformed from the past signal reception hysteresis.

(4) Fourth Embodiment Mode

[0046] A fourth embodiment mode will next be explained on the basis ofFIG. 5. FIG. 5 is a flow chart showing a signal receiving step in thefourth embodiment mode of the radio correcting timepiece in thisinvention.

[0047] In this example, on the basis of the hysteresis of the signalreception of a station able to be received to a certain extent, thesignal reception is tried at the next signal receiving time since thereis a possibility of the signal reception. It proceeds to the signalreception of the next station only when the signal reception isunsuccessful.

[0048] A start S41 is made by a timing signal from the timepiece means,etc., and an automatic signal receiving state is started in a step S42and the signal reception of the 40 KHz format of the Fukushima stationis intended to be first tried. It is then judged in a step S43 whether acertain extent signal receiving flag Ffy corresponding to the Fukushimastation described later is 1 or 0. If this flag is 0, this station ispassed. In contrast to this, if this flag is 1, the signal reception isstarted. It is then judged in a step S44 whether the signal receptioncan be performed to a certain extent or not after a constant time. Ifthis judgment is YES, the flag of 1 is set in the certain extent signalreceiving flag Ffy and it proceeds to a step S47 and the signalreception of the 60 KHz format of the Saga station in the next order isintended to be tried. On the other hand, if the judgment is NO in thestep S44 for judging whether the signal reception can be performed to acertain extent or not, no flag of 1 is set in the certain extent signalreceiving flag Ffy, and it is judged in a step S45 whether the signalreception is perfectly successful or not. If the judgment is NO in thestep S45, it proceeds to the step S47 and the signal reception of the 60KHz format of the Saga station in the next order is intended to betried.

[0049] After it proceeds to the step S47, it is further judged in a stepS48 whether a certain extent signal receiving flag Fsy corresponding tothe Saga station described later is 1 or 0. If this judgment is 0, thisstation is passed. In contrast to this, if this judgment is 1, thesignal reception of the Saga station is started and it is judged in astep S49 whether the signal reception can be performed to a certainextent or not after a constant time. If this judgment is YES, the flagof 1 is set in the certain extent signal receiving flag Fsy in a stepS411, and it proceeds to a step S412 and the signal reception of the 60KHz format of the US station (the standard radio wave station of theUnited States of America) in the next order is intended to be tried. Onthe other hand, if the judgment is NO in the step S49 for judgingwhether the signal reception can be performed to a certain extent ornot, no flag of 1 is set in the certain extent signal receiving flag Fsyin the step S411, and it is judged in a step S410 whether the signalreception is perfectly successful or not. If this judgment is NO, itproceeds to the step S412 and the signal reception of the 60 KHz formatof the US station in the next order is intended to be tried.

[0050] After it proceeds to the step S412, it is further judged in astep S413 whether a certain extent signal receiving flag Fuycorresponding to the US station described later is 1 or 0. If this flagis 0, this station is passed and the signal reception is terminated. Incontrast to this, if this flag is 1, the signal reception of the USstation is started and it is judged in a step S414 whether the signalreception can be performed to a certain extent or not after a constanttime. If this judgment is YES, the flag of 1 is set in the certainmiddle extent signal receiving flag Fuy, and it proceeds to a step S415and the signal reception is terminated. On the other hand, if thejudgment is NO in the step S414 for judging whether the signal receptioncan be performed to a certain extent or not, it proceeds to the stepS415 and the signal reception is terminated without setting the flag of1 in the certain extent signal receiving flag Fuy in a step S416.

[0051] If the judgment is YES with respect to the signal receptionsuccess of the above step S45 or S410, it immediately proceeds to thestep S415 and the signal reception is terminated. The flag Ffy in thestep S46 is initialized on the basis of predetermined state switchingsuch as the operation of e.g., the external input means 1M, etc. afterthe signal reception is terminated. Similarly, the flag Fsy in the stepS411 or the flag Fuy in the step S416 is initialized on the basis of thepredetermined state switching such as the operation of e.g., theexternal input means 1M, etc. after the signal reception is terminated.

[0052] In this fourth embodiment mode, the signal reception of apredetermined station having a possibility of the perfect success istried from the past signal receiving hysteresis and a station having alow possibility of the signal reception success is passed in the signalreception. Thus, useless power consumption is reduced in total and thesignal receiving time is shortened and the signal reception can berapidly performed.

(5) Fifth Embodiment Mode

[0053] A fifth embodiment mode corresponding to the second embodimentmode will next be explained on the basis of FIG. 6. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a signal receiving step in the fifth embodiment mode ofthe radio correcting timepiece in this invention.

[0054] This embodiment is an example about the radio correctingtimepiece with the signal reception in the United States of America as amain.

[0055] An automatic signal receiving state is started by a timing signalfrom the timepiece means, etc. in a step S51, and the signal receptionof the 60 KHz format of the US station is first tried in a step S52.When the judgment in a step S53 is NO in the signal receiving success,the signal reception of the 60 KHz format of the Saga station issubsequently tried in a step S54. Further, when the judgment in a stepS55 is NO in the signal receiving success, the signal reception of the40 KHz format of the Fukushima station is tried in a step S56. In thisexample, the signal reception is terminated in a step S57 irrespectiveof this trial result. If the judgments in the steps S53 and S55 are YESin the signal receiving success, it immediately proceeds to the step S57and the signal reception is terminated. However, a judging step forjudging whether the signal reception is successful or not may beinserted after the step S56, and it may be returned to the step S52 inthe case of NO in the judgment of this judging step and the signalre-reception may be also started. In this case, if the judgment is YESin this judging step, it proceeds to the step S57 and the signalreception is terminated.

[0056] In the switching of the 40 KHz format and the 60 KHz format, itgenerally takes about 30 seconds to stabilize the operation of an autogain controller of a signal receiving means for performing setting withrespect to the intensity of an electric field. However, in this fifthembodiment mode, the 60 KHz format of the Saga station is set after the60 KHz format of the US station. Accordingly, when the receivablestandard radio wave station is set to the 60 KHz format of the Sagastation, the time until the reception of a time code can be shortenedand the signal reception can be rapidly performed.

(6) Sixth Embodiment Mode

[0057] A sixth embodiment mode will next be explained on the basis ofFIG. 7. FIG. 7 is a flow chart showing a signal receiving step in thesixth embodiment mode of the radio correcting timepiece in thisinvention.

[0058] In this example, the number of times of the signal receivingsuccess of the format of each station is counted (incremented ordecremented), and the signal receiving order of the formats of first,second, third, - - - stations is determined in accordance with thefrequency of the signal receiving success from the past signal receivinghysteresis.

[0059] An example about the radio correcting timepiece able to receivethree stations such as the 40 KHz format of the Fukushima station, the60 KHz format of the Saga station and the 60 KHz format of the USstation (the standard radio wave station of the United States ofAmerica), etc. will be explained.

[0060] A start step S61 is started by a timing signal from the timepiecemeans, etc., and the signal receiving state is started in a step S62,and the signal reception of an X-station having a maximum accumulatingsuccess time number of the previous hysteresis among the three stationsis intended to be tried. It is then judged in a step S63 whether amidway signal receiving flag Fxn with respect to this X-station is 1 or0. If this flag is 1, this station is passed. In contrast to this, ifthis flag is 0, the signal reception is started. It is then judged in astep S64 whether the signal reception is ceased on the way or not aftera constant time. If this judgment is YES, the flag of 1 is set in themidway signal receiving flag Fxn in a step S66, and it proceeds to astep S67 and the signal reception of a Y-station having a second largestaccumulating success time number of the previous hysteresis is intendedto be tried. On the other hand, if the judgment in the step S64 forjudging whether the signal reception is ceased on the way or not is NO,it is judged in a step S65 whether the signal reception is perfectlysuccessful or not without setting the flag of 1 in the midway signalreceiving flag Fxn. If this judgment is NO, it proceeds to the step S67and the signal reception of the Y-station having the second largestaccumulating success time number of the previous hysteresis is intendedto be tried. When the judgment in the step S65 is YES, the value of 1 isadded to the accumulating success time number Cx of the previoushysteresis in a step S617, and the entire signal reception is terminatedin a step S615.

[0061] After it proceeds to the step S67 and the signal reception of theY-station having the second largest accumulating success time number ofthe previous hysteresis is intended to be tried, it is judged in a stepS68 whether a midway signal receiving flag Fyn corresponding to thesecond Y-station is 1 or 0. If this flag is 1, this station is passed.In contrast to this, if this flag is 0, the signal reception of thesecond Y-station is started, and it is judged in a step S69 whether thesignal reception is ceased on the way or not after a constant time. Ifthis judgment is YES, the flag of 1 is set in the midway signalreceiving flag Fyn in a step S611, and it proceeds to a step S612 andthe signal reception of a Z-station having the next largest accumulatingsuccess time number of the previous hysteresis is intended to be tried.On the other hand, if the judgment in the step S69 for judging whetherthe signal reception is ceased on the way or not is NO, it is judged ina step S610 whether the signal reception is perfectly successful or notwithout setting the flag of 1 in the midway signal receiving flag Fyn inthe step S611. If this judgment in the step S610 is NO, it proceeds tothe step S612 and the signal reception of the Z-station having the nextlargest accumulating success time number of the previous hysteresis isintended to be tried. When the judgment in the step S610 is YES, thevalue of 1 is added to the accumulating success time number Cy of theprevious hysteresis in a step S618 and the entire signal reception isterminated in the step S615.

[0062] After it proceeds to the step S612 and the signal reception ofthe Z-station having the third accumulating success time number of theprevious hysteresis is intended to be tried, it is judged in a step S613whether a midway signal receiving flag Fzn corresponding to the thirdZ-station is 1 or 0. If this flag is 1, this station is passed. Incontrast to this, if this flag is 0, the signal reception of the thirdZ-station is started and it is judged in a step S614 whether the signalreception is ceased on the way or not after a constant time. If thisjudgment is YES, the flag of 1 is set in the midway signal receivingflag Fzn in a step S616, and it proceeds to the step S615 and the entiresignal reception is terminated. On the other hand, if the judgment inthe step S614 for judging whether the signal reception is ceased on theway or not is NO, it is judged in a step S617 whether the signalreception is perfectly successful or not without setting the flag of 1in the midway signal receiving flag Fzn in the step S616. If thisjudgment in the step S617 is NO, it proceeds to the step S615 and theentire signal reception is terminated. In contrast to this, when thejudgment in the step S617 is YES, the value of 1 is added to theaccumulating success time number Cz of the previous hysteresis in a stepS619, and the entire signal reception is terminated in the step S615.

[0063] The flag Fxn in the step S66 is initialized on the basis ofpredetermined state switching such as the operation of e.g., theexternal input means 1M, etc. after the signal reception is terminated.Similarly, the flag Fyn in the step S611 or the flag Fzn in the stepS616 is initialized on the basis of the predetermined state switchingsuch as the operation of e.g. the external input means 1M, etc. afterthe signal reception is terminated. Further, the accumulating successtime numbers Cx, Cy, Cz of the previous hysteresis are initialized everyselected time number of the signal reception, e.g., every ten signalreceptions.

[0064] Here, the accumulating success time numbers Cx, Cy, Cz are set tobe incremented, but can be also set to be decremented.

[0065] In this sixth embodiment mode, a predetermined station having nopossibility of the perfect signal reception is passed by the past signalreceiving hysteresis, and the signal receiving order of the station ischanged in accordance with the accumulating success time number. Thus,useless power consumption is reduced and the signal receiving time isshortened and the signal reception can be rapidly performed.

(7) Seventh Embodiment Mode

[0066] A seventh embodiment mode will next be explained on the basis ofFIG. 8. FIG. 8 is a flow chart showing a signal receiving step in theseventh embodiment mode of the radio correcting timepiece in thisinvention.

[0067] In this example, when only hour and minute data are received inthe 40 KHz format of the Fukushima station and only calendar data can besubsequently received in the 60 KHz format of the Saga station in thesignal reception in Japan, both the data are processed as the perfectsignal reception. Namely, in this example, perfect data are obtained bycombining or synthesizing time information data from the two differentstations.

[0068] A start step S71 is started by a timing signal from the timepiecemeans, etc., and an automatic signal receiving state is started in astep S72, and the signal reception of the 40 KHz format of the Fukushimastation is first started. It is then judged in a step S73 whether thesignal reception is ceased on the way or not after a constant time. Ifthis judgment is YES, it is judged in a step S79 whether the signalreception can be performed until the hour and minute data. If thisjudgment is YES, it proceeds to the signal reception of the 60 KHzformat of the second Saga station in a step S75. In contrast to this, ifthe judgment in the step S79 is NO, it proceeds to a step S78 and thesignal reception is terminated. On the other hand, if the judgment inthe step S73 is NO, it proceeds to a step S74 and it is judged whetherthe signal reception is perfectly successful or not. If this judgingresult is YES, it proceeds to a step S78 and the signal reception isterminated. In contrast to this, if the judgment in the step S74 is NO,it proceeds to the signal reception of the 60 KHz format of the secondSaga station in the step S75.

[0069] In the signal reception of the 60 KHz format of the Saga station,it is judged in a step S76 whether the signal reception is ceased on theway or not after a constant time. If this judgment is YES, it is judgedin a step S710 whether the signal reception can be performed until thecalendar data. If this judgment is YES, it proceeds to a step S711. Whenthe path of YES is taken in the step S79 in the first half of the flowchart, collective time information is obtained by synthesizing thesignal receiving memories of the hour and minute data and the calendardata. In contrast to this, if the judgment in the step S710 is NO, itproceeds to the step S78 and the signal reception is terminated.

[0070] If the judgment in the step S76 for judging whether the signalreception is ceased on the way or not is NO, it is judged in a step S77whether the signal reception is successful or not. When this judgment isNO, it proceeds to the step S78 and the signal reception is terminated.When the judgment is YES in the step S77, it also proceeds to the stepS78 and the signal reception is terminated.

[0071] Thus, it is possible to raise a receivable frequency in the areaof a boundary of the 40 KHz format of the Fukushima station and the 60KHz format of the Saga station in the situation of a radio wave, and asignal receiving success ratio can be improved in total.

Industrial Applicability

[0072] As mentioned above, the radio correcting timepiece of the presentinvention is useful as a timepiece of higher accuracy in which theinfluence of the standard radio wave signal reception according to anarea is reduced.

1. A radio correcting timepiece having signal receiving means forreceiving a standard radio wave having time information and timepiecemeans for displaying time on the basis of the time information outputtedfrom the signal receiving means, characterized by that said signalreceiving means can receive plural standard radio waves, and bycomprising memory means able to store signal receiving order of saidplural standard radio waves.
 2. The radio correcting timepiece accordingto claim 1, wherein the radio correcting timepiece further comprisesrewriting means able to rewrite the signal receiving order of saidplural standard radio waves stored to said memory means.
 3. The radiocorrecting timepiece according to claim 2, wherein the rewriting meansis operated by an external operating member.
 4. The radio correctingtimepiece according to claim 1, wherein the radio correcting timepiecefurther comprises judging means for judging whether each signalreception in each signal receiving order is completed or uncompleted,and said signal receiving means terminates the signal reception by acompleting signal from said judging means.
 5. The radio correctingtimepiece according to claim 1, wherein the radio correcting timepiecefurther comprises judging means for judging whether each signalreception in each signal receiving order is completed or uncompleted,and flag judging means which sets-on a flag with respect to a standardradio wave station of this order by an uncompleting signal from saidjudging means, and skips said signal receiving order of the standardradio wave station having said flag at the next signal receiving time,and performs the signal reception of the next signal receiving order. 6.The radio correcting timepiece according to claim 1, wherein the radiocorrecting timepiece further comprises judging means for judging whethereach signal reception in each signal receiving order is completed oruncompleted, and flag judging means which sets-on a flag with respect toa standard radio wave station of this order by a signal receptioncompleting signal of constant or more time information from said judgingmeans, and executes the signal reception of the standard radio wavestation of said signal receiving order having said flag at the nextsignal receiving time.
 7. The radio correcting timepiece according toclaim 1 or 4, wherein the standard radio wave received in at least oneadjacent order among said signal receiving orders is selected anddetermined from the standard radio waves of the same frequency.
 8. Theradio correcting timepiece according to claim 2, wherein the radiocorrecting timepiece further comprises judging means for judging whethereach signal reception in each signal receiving order is completed oruncompleted, and the completing signal of each signal receiving orderfrom said judging means is counted every standard radio wave station,and said rewriting means is constructed so as to rewrite the signalreceiving order at the next signal receiving time by accumulating thiscounting number, and the radio correcting timepiece further comprisesinitializing means for initializing said each counting number everyselected and determined signal receiving time number.